Turtles, tortoises, and marsh turtles are closely related reptiles that fall under the order Testudines. These terms are often confused, as individual species appear similar; scientific taxonomy uses precise terms to distinguish the various species, although these animals can still be classified according to habitat, body shape and behavior. The turtle lives both in water (it can be marine and fresh, depending on the species) and on land, the marsh turtle lives in fresh water and on land, while the tortoise lives only on land.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Observe the Environment
Step 1. Observe the time the animal spends in the water
The turtle stays in the water for a long time; depending on the species to which it belongs, it can live both in fresh waters (swamps and lakes) and in the sea.
Step 2. Determine if the reptile spends many hours on land
The tortoise is purely a terrestrial animal; some specimens live far from major water sources, for example in deserts.
Step 3. Find out if they live in swampy areas
The marsh turtle spends its time both on land and in water, however it prefers brackish and marshy areas. Many times the term "marsh turtle" is used to indicate certain species that live in swampy areas (for example in the eastern and southern United States), such as the Diamondback or the red-eared turtle (it is typical of swampy areas and is often kept as a pet).
Step 4. Pay attention to where and how it basks
Turtles, even marsh ones, love to get out of the water to bask in the sun on logs, sand, rocks and other surfaces. Marine ones tend to spend a lot of time in the water, but they can go out to sunbathe on beaches, reefs, and other similar areas.
Method 2 of 3: Observe the Physical Conformation
Step 1. Examine the legs
Those of turtles (including marsh ones) tend to be flat, with webbed "fingers" suitable for swimming. The body of the marine ones has adapted to life in the water and is basically slender and long, with legs similar to fins. On the other hand, tortoises have rounded and stubby legs suitable for walking on the ground; the hind legs resemble those of elephants, while the front ones look like shovels, useful for digging.
Step 2. Define the type of carapace
All three varieties have scaly skin and armor that protects it. With the exception of a few cases (such as the leatherback sea turtle), the shell is generally hard and made of bone material. The carapace of tortoises is basically rounded, dome-shaped, while that of water and marsh turtles is more flattened.
Step 3. Look for characteristic signs of each species
If you think you are dealing with a particular species of these reptiles, look for the distinctive features on the carapace or on the body that can help you define it with certainty. For instance:
- The Diamondback freshwater turtle can be recognized by the diamond-shaped patterns on the shell;
- You can spot the red-eared one by its distinctive red stripes on the sides of the head;
- It is possible to recognize the alligator turtle by the pointed and pointed crests present on the carapace.
Method 3 of 3: Observe Behavior
Step 1. Pay attention to the times when you reduce your activity
The turtles burrow in the mud during the winter season and enter a state of torpor similar to hibernation, which represents a false lethargy; in this period they limit the activity to a minimum and remain in this state until the climate becomes milder.
There is some rare evidence that the pond turtle can also spend time in the mud in a state of hibernation or otherwise of reduced activity
Step 2. Observe what he eats
The feeding habits of these reptiles can vary greatly based on the species and environment in which they live, but they can include plants, insects and other small animals. The tortoise, which is a land animal, tends to eat ground level plants such as grass, shrubs and even cacti; the feeding of marsh turtles has not yet been thoroughly studied.
Step 3. Define the nesting behavior
Tortoises build their nests by digging and depositing their eggs. Aquatic and marsh species spend considerable time both in water and on land, including marine species, coming out of the water to lay their eggs.
Advice
- Turtles and tortoises are reptiles belonging to the same order ("Testudines" or "Chelonia"). In common parlance the first term is often used to refer to water specimens (both fresh and salt), while the word "tortoise" indicates land animals; however, this distinction has no taxonomic value. In English-speaking countries such as Australia, the term "turtles" (turtles) indicates only marine specimens, while all the others are "tortoises" (tortoises). In the United States and Great Britain the word "turtle" refers mainly to aquatic creatures and "tortoise" to terrestrial ones; however, even in this case there are no certain scientific terms, there is a lot of variability and lack of uniformity in the nomenclature.
- Size is not a useful indicator for distinguishing turtles from tortoises and swamp specimens, as there is a wide variation in body size in each category.
- If you already own a pet reptile and can't figure out which category it belongs to, ask your vet for more details.
- Tortoises do not have bright colors (for example red) like turtles.
